How to decorate your Christmas tree: ideas for a cosy and stylish living room

Christmas begins to be felt at home long before Christmas Eve: in the smell of freshly baked biscuits, in the warm lights turned on at dusk and, above all, in that almost ritualistic moment when you put up the Christmas tree. Among all the Christmas decorations in the house, the tree is the main protagonist of the living room: the place where visitors first look, the backdrop for family photos and the corner that summarises, in the form of lights and decorations, your way of living this festive season.

Decorating your Christmas tree doesn't have to be complicated: it's all about finding a balance between tradition and style, between classic nods and more modern, handcrafted details. Mango Home's Christmas collection is designed to do just that: to help you create a warm, cosy tree with personality, combining pieces with a handmade feel, touches of gold and classic Christmas colours.

In this post we suggest decorating the tree step by step, starting at the base with the smallest ornaments and working your way up to the crowning of the top. All you need to do is put on your favourite playlist, light some candles... and let the Christmas spirit do the rest.

1. Start at the base of the tree with candy canes

The first step for decorating the Christmas tree is to fill the top with small decorations that set the visual rhythm of the whole. These hanging candy canes are perfect for that decorative "first layer": light, easy to attach and with that classic Christmas feel that never goes out of style. They hang from a thin gold rope with a loop at the top, making it easy to distribute them effortlessly around the tree. Place them in between, at different heights and towards the outermost part of the branches, so they look good from all angles.

This type of decoration works especially well for decorating natural or artificial Christmas trees in bright green, because the contrast with the red and white is so festive. Starting with the canes will help to set a clear colour base and create a sense of harmony, which you can then complement with the other elements.

2. Add felt details to add warmth to your Christmas tree ornaments

Once the base has been created with the smaller ornaments, it's time to incorporate more characterful pieces that tell a story and add warmth. Christmas ornaments made of felt, such as this Christmas mouse, are ideal for this: they have a handmade and tender touch that transforms the tree into a little winter fairytale. Its friendly expression and the details, such as the rounded ears or the thin tail that hints at the back, make it a special piece that will attract all eyes, especially those of the little ones.

Distribute this type of ornament in strategic areas of the tree: at eye level, near the lights and in more open spaces, so that they can be shown off. Combining felt figures with candy canes and other small ornaments creates a cosy effect, a tree that "tells a story" and invites you to come closer. It's that kind of detail that makes your Christmas tree decoration feel alive and full of personality.

3. Add paper embellishments for a modern and sophisticated touch

With the base already filled with small details, the next step in decorating the Christmas tree is to add volume and sophistication with slightly larger ornaments. These paper baubles, with their unique three-dimensional design and honeycomb or fan-shaped finish, are an elegant way to give the tree movement and texture without overloading it. Their bulbous silhouette, with a narrower top reminiscent of inverted drops or traditional glass ornaments, creates an interesting contrast to the green branches and more linear shapes of other ornaments.

Place them slightly further inwards on the tree than the canes and felt figures to add visual depth. You can group them in pairs at certain points, or spread them evenly around the tree. Their minimalist style makes them ideal for balancing more eye-catching decorations, while maintaining a sense of order and elegance to the whole.

4. Surround the tree with a rustic garland

When the body of the Christmas tree is already decorated with small ornaments and volumetric pieces, it is time to frame it with garlands. This garland of metal bells adds an extra dimension: not only does it decorate visually, but introduces a sensory component thanks to the soft sound of the little bells rubbing against each other. A deep red textile ribbon joins them together to create a warm contrast between the golden metal and the textile, which is a perfect contrast to the greenery of the tree. The result is a rustic-chic look that suits both classic interiors and modern environments looking for a cosy touch.

To place the garland, start from the top middle of the tree and work your way down in a spiral, without tightening the ribbon too much so that it falls naturally between the branches. Allow some bells to hang slightly outwards and others to hide between the branches, creating visual layers and small metallic sparkles. This garland will be the common thread that unifies all the decorations and reinforces the Christmas spirit in your living room.

5. Crown the tree with a golden star

The last step is to crown the tree with an ornament that acts as a focal point and closes the composition: a golden star for the top of the tree. This three-dimensional piece, with five well-defined points and a shiny gold finish, concentrates the light and adds a sophisticated air that can be seen from any corner of the room. Its spiral metal base, also gilded, makes it easy to place on the top of the tree and adds an extra ornamental detail, visible when you get close. The subtle texture of the finish prevents the gold from being overdone, creating an elegant and timeless presence. It is the perfect piece to dialogue with the gold edges of the paper ornaments and bells of the wreath, creating chromatic coherence.

Place the star at the end, when the Christmas tree is fully decorated, to make sure it is perfectly aligned and centred. Slightly adjust the top branches so that they hug the spiral support and the star is firmly in place. Once in place, turn on the lights: you'll see how the gold will give off soft reflections that will finish off the Christmas spirit in your home.

With these steps - starting at the base with small ornaments, continuing with figures and volumes, finishing with garlands and crowning with the star - you will decorate a Christmas tree in a harmonious, warm and very Mango Home way. All you have to do is enjoy the ritual: place each piece calmly, share the moment with your family and let your tree become the heart of your home this festive season.